System and method for converting gestures into digital graffiti

ABSTRACT

The subject disclosure provides a device, computer readable storage medium, and method for converting gestures undergone by a device into digital graffiti. The disclosure includes ascertaining an orientation of the device and a path traversed by the device. Gestures undergone by the device are identified as a function of the orientation and the path. Digital graffiti corresponding to the gestures are then superimposed onto a digital canvas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure generally relates to mobile computing devices andmore particularly to superimposing digital graffiti onto a digitalcanvas based on gestures undergone by a device.

BACKGROUND

By way of background concerning some conventional systems, mobiledevices, such as portable laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, navigationdevices, and the like have been equipped with location-based services,such as global positioning system (GPS) systems, WiFi, cell towertriangulation, etc. that can determine and record a position of mobiledevices. For instance, GPS systems use triangulation of signals receivedfrom various satellites placed in orbit around Earth to determine deviceposition. A variety of map-based services have emerged from theinclusion of such location-based systems that help users of thesedevices to be found on a map and to facilitate point-to-point navigationin real-time and to search for locations near a point on a map.

However, such navigation and search scenarios are currently limited todisplaying relatively static information about particular locations,wherein interacting with such locations require a user to provide aninput via a touch screen and/or keypad. For many potential interactionsthough, considering the complexity of input on touch screens or tinyalphanumeric keypads typically provided for portable electronic devices,requiring an input via such an interface is inadequate for invokingbenefits of location-based services. For instance, a user quicklydriving by a location may find it cumbersome and unnecessarilytime-consuming to both identify the location (e.g., by obtaining adigital profile for a restaurant, such as a Yelp profile) and provide aninput pertaining to the location via a touch screen/keypad userinterface (e.g., a drawing of an “unhappy face”). Accordingly, it wouldbe desirable to develop a device with a user interface that providesusers with location-based input capabilities unobtainable and/orimpractical with a touch screen/keypad user interface.

The above-described deficiencies of today's location based systems anddevices are merely intended to provide an overview of some of theproblems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive.Other problems with the state of the art and corresponding benefits ofsome of the various non-limiting embodiments may become further apparentupon review of the following detailed description.

SUMMARY

A simplified summary is provided herein to help enable a basic orgeneral understanding of various aspects of exemplary, non-limitingembodiments that follow in the more detailed description and theaccompanying drawings. This summary is not intended, however, as anextensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the sole purpose of thissummary is to present some concepts related to some exemplarynon-limiting embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description of the various embodiments that follow.

In various non-limiting embodiments, gestures are processed andconverted into digital graffiti. In a first embodiment, a portableelectronic device is described. Within such embodiment, the deviceincludes a motion component that outputs motion information as afunction of the device's movement. The device further includes adirectional component that outputs direction information as a functionof the device's orientation. The device also includes at least oneprocessor configured to process the motion information and the directioninformation to track gestures undergone by the device. The at least oneprocessor is further configured to superimpose digital graffiticorresponding to the gestures undergone by the device onto a digitalcanvas.

In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is described,which includes a memory component configured to store computer-readableinstructions for performing various acts. Within such embodiment,instructions are included for ascertaining an orientation of a portabledevice as a function of direction information processed by a processor.Instructions are also included for ascertaining a path traversed by theportable device as a function of motion information processed by theprocessor. The instructions further include instructions for identifyinga gesture undergone by the portable device as a function of theorientation and the path. For this embodiment, instructions are alsoincluded for superimposing digital graffiti corresponding to the gestureonto a digital canvas.

In yet another embodiment, a method is described, which includesemploying a processor to execute computer executable instructions storedon a computer readable storage medium. Within such embodiment, theprocessor facilitates executing various acts including determining anorientation of a portable device as a function of data output by acompass. Further acts executed by the processor include determining amovement undergone by the device as a function of data output by anaccelerometer unit, and determining a location of the device as afunction of data output by a global positioning system (GPS) unit. Forthis embodiment, gestures corresponding to the device's movements areascertained as a function of the data output by the compass and the dataoutput by the accelerometer unit. Further acts include selecting adigital canvas as a function of the device's location, and superimposingdigital graffiti corresponding to the gesture onto the digital canvas.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with reference tothe following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable electronic device according to anembodiment including a positional component, a motion component and adirectional component for performing gesture based analysis as describedin one or more embodiments and scenarios.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary non-limiting architecture for achieving one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary sequence of actionsof a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile computing device according to an embodimentupon which a set of gesture and direction based services can be builtaccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodology forsuperimposing digital graffiti onto a digital canvas according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodology forutilizing an ink graffiti tool according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodology forutilizing an object graffiti tool according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates that a variety of pre-defined gestures can bedesigned to represent gestures in a general environment having items orpoints of interest, or locations, that can be pointed at or to by adevice.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram providing a non-limiting implementation for apoint to location user interface for a device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram providing a non-limiting implementation for apoint to people user interface for a device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an ink tool forsuperimposing free-hand digital graffiti onto a photographic digitalcanvas corresponding to a stationary entity.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary beautification of the free-hand digitalgraffiti of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a generic digital graffiti object onto a photographicdigital canvas corresponding to a stationary entity.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a custom digital graffiti object onto a photographicdigital canvas corresponding to a stationary entity.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an ink tool forsuperimposing free-hand digital graffiti onto a photographic digitalcanvas corresponding to a mobile entity.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary beautification of the free-hand digitalgraffiti of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a generic digital graffiti object onto a photographicdigital canvas corresponding to a mobile entity.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a custom digital graffiti object onto a photographicdigital canvas corresponding to a mobile entity.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an ink tool forsuperimposing free-hand digital graffiti onto a canvas residing on anindividual's digital profile.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary beautification of the free-hand digitalgraffiti of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a generic digital graffiti object onto a canvas residingon an individual's digital profile.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a custom digital graffiti object onto a canvas residing onan individual's digital profile.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an ink tool forsuperimposing free-hand digital graffiti onto a canvas residing on areal estate property's digital profile.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary beautification of the free-hand digitalgraffiti of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a generic digital graffiti object onto a canvas residingon a real estate property's digital profile.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary utilization of an object tool forsuperimposing a custom digital graffiti object onto a canvas residing ona real estate property's digital profile.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a plurality of potentialpoints of interest proximate to a device.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a plurality of digitalprofiles corresponding to a plurality of points of interest selected bya device.

FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting process whereby it isanticipated that a user will hold a device substantially in a horizontalplane.

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting process whereby it isanticipated that a user will hold a device substantially in a verticalplane.

FIG. 31 illustrates a switching between the embodiments of FIGS. 29 and30 according to planar orientation.

FIG. 32 further illustrates an embodiment that detects the device issubstantially in the vertical plane or horizontal plane.

FIG. 33 illustrates a block diagram of a non-limiting device consistentwith one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating the formation of motion vectorsfor use in connection with location-based services.

FIG. 35 illustrates a first aspect of algorithms for determiningintersection endpoints with a pointing direction of a device.

FIG. 36 illustrates a second aspect of algorithms for determiningintersection endpoints with a pointing direction of a device.

FIG. 37 illustrates a third aspect of algorithms for determiningintersection endpoints with a pointing direction of a device.

FIG. 38 represents a generic user interface for a mobile device forrepresenting points of interest based on pointing information.

FIG. 39 represents some exemplary, non-limiting alternatives for userinterfaces for representing point of interest information.

FIG. 40 illustrates a sample overlay user interface for overlaying pointof interest information over a camera view of a mobile device.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram representing an exemplary non-limitingnetworked environment in which embodiment(s) may be implemented.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram representing an exemplary non-limitingcomputing system or operating environment in which aspects ofembodiment(s) may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

As discussed in the background, among other things, current locationservices systems and services, e.g., GPS, cell triangulation, P2Plocation service, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc., tend to be based on thelocation of the device only, and tend to provide static experiences thatare not tailored to a user because the data about endpoints of interestis relatively static. In addition, input to engage such static locationbased services is frustrating at best for portable devices, such as cellphones, PDAs, music players, notebooks, netbooks, etc. For instance,input to such devices when the user is “on the go” has beenconventionally limited to error prone input processes, e.g., due tolimited space, which are error prone even when a user is not moving andthe device is stationary.

At least partly in consideration of these deficiencies of conventionallocation based services, various embodiments of a portable device areprovided that enable users to point a device directionally and receivestatic and/or dynamic information in response from a networked service,such as provided by one or more servers, or as part of a cloud servicesexperience. Moreover, by determining gestured made by the device basedon any one or more of direction information, motion information orlocation information, input for various scenarios and device contextsare greatly facilitated, and can be tailored to context based on thelocation, or given point(s) of interest pointed at by a pointing device.

In the various alternative embodiments described herein, leveragingdigital compasses and location services to provide direction andlocation information enables a next-generation of direction or pointerbased location search services, scan services, discoverability services,etc. In this regard, the digital compass and location information, suchas GPS, can be used to point at objects of interest, thus defining theentry point for one or more data transactions or interactions betweenthe device and one or more third party devices providing service(s) forthe object(s) of interest at which the device is pointed. Using adigital compass, e.g., solid state, magnetic, sun/moon based, etc. on amobile endpoint facilitates point and upload scenarios, point andsynchronize geographical information to a Web service, cloud services oranother endpoint.

As reflected in various embodiments, a device is provided that can honein on, interact with, or otherwise transact with, a specific object orspecific objects of interest by way of location and direction of thedevice, creating a new advertising model not previously known. As anexample, when a user interacts with a particular product on a shelf at aretail store in connection with a direction based service, this createsan opportunity for anyone having an interest in the particular productto engage the user, e.g., communicate some information to that user. Anycontext that can be discerned from the user's actions and interactionscan also be taken into account when acting on the opportunity. In thisregard, a variety of gestures can facilitate these actions andinteractions without requiring the complexity of input alluded to in thebackground.

In this regard, with a gesture (pre-defined or user defined), users caninteract with the endpoints in a host of context sensitive ways toprovide or update information associated with endpoints of interest, orto receive beneficial information or instruments (e.g., coupons, offers,etc.) from entities associated with the endpoints of interest, oraccording to any of the many non-examples described in more detailbelow.

In one embodiment, a portable electronic device comprises a positionalcomponent that outputs position information as a function of a locationof the portable electronic device, a motion component that outputsmotion information as a function of movement(s) of the portable deviceand a directional component that outputs direction information as afunction of an orientation of the portable electronic device. The deviceis configured to process at least the position information to determinepoint(s) of interest relating to the position information and configuredto process at least the motion information and the direction informationto determine pre-defined gesture(s) undergone by the portable electronicdevice with respect to the point(s) of interest, wherein the portableelectronic device automatically makes a request based on the pre-definedgesture(s) and the point(s) of interest.

The point(s) of interest can be determined from the position informationand the direction information. The at least one pre-defined gesture canbe determined from any one or more of the position information, themotion information and the direction information. The portableelectronic device can automatically make a request based on thegesture(s) and identifier(s) associated with the point(s) of interest.The gesture(s) can be determined based on a pre-defined gesturedefinition or a user-defined gesture definition. A positional componentcan include a global positioning satellite (GPS) component for receivingand processing GPS signals or a component for receiving positioninformation based on triangulation to wireless base stations, an imagerecognition system for recognizing at least one object in image data anddetermining a position of the device relative to the at least one objectin the image data, or other means for measuring location.

The directional component can include a digital compass and can alsoinclude an image recognition system for recognizing an object in realspace and determining the direction of the object and therefore thedevice by detecting the side of the object, or detecting the objectrelative to other objects fixed in real space. The motion component caninclude accelerometer(s) for measuring an acceleration of the device.The motion component can include at least two accelerometers formeasuring a tilt or rotation of at least part of the device.

In one embodiment, a process determines a location of a portable devicebased on location information determined for the device, the locationinformation representing a global position of the device. Directioninformation representing an orientation of the portable device and thelocation information are analyzed to determine point(s) of interesttowards which the portable device is substantially oriented. In thisregard, path information representing a path traversed by the portabledevice is analyzed based on at least the direction information todetermine gesture(s) made by the portable device. A request istransmitted to a network service based on the gesture(s) and the pointof interest.

The analyzing of path information can include processing accelerationinformation measuring acceleration of the device, processing velocityinformation measuring velocity of the device, analyzing the pathinformation for a given time span or analyzing a set of vectorsrepresenting the path traversed by the device from a start time to astop time. Moreover, the analyzing of path information can includeanalyzing three dimensional (3-D) path information representing threedegrees of freedom of movement for the device, but can also includeanalyzing three dimensional (3-D) path information as 2-D pathinformation by collapsing a degree of freedom.

In another embodiment, a method includes determining whether a viewingplane of a portable device is aligned with a substantially horizontalplane that is substantially parallel to a ground plane or aligned with asubstantially vertical plane that is substantially orthogonal to theground plane. If the portable device is aligned with the substantiallyhorizontal plane, a topographical map view of a geographical area mapdetermined based on location and direction information measured by theportable device is displayed and indication(s) of point(s) of intereston the geographical area map are displayed. If the portable device isaligned with the substantially vertical plane, an image based view ofthree-dimensional (3-D) space extending at least one pre-defineddirection from the portable device is displayed and indication(s) ofpoint(s) of interest pertaining to the 3-D space represented by theimage based view can be displayed.

Details of various other exemplary, non-limiting embodiments areprovided below

Gesture Based Input to Computing Device with Direction Information

With the addition of directional information in a location basedenvironment, a variety of mobile scanning experiences are enabled on topof user identification of or interaction with specific object(s) ofinterest by pointing, or gesturing, at an object of interest. Forinstance, when a user gestures, e.g., points, at a particular item at aparticular location or place, this creates an opportunity for anyonehaving an interest in that particular item to interact with the userregarding that item or related items at a point at a time when theuser's focus is on the particular item. User context for the interactioncan also be taken into account to supplement the provision of one ormore interactive direction based services.

A gesture subsystem can optionally be included in a device, which can bepredicated on any one or more of the motion information, locationinformation or direction information. In this regard, not only candirection information and location information be used to define a setof unique gestures, but also motion information (such as speed andacceleration) can be used to define a more sophisticated set ofgestures. In this regard, one can appreciate that a variety ofalgorithms could be adopted for a gesture subsystem. For instance, asimple click-event when in the “pointing mode” for the device can resultin determining a set of points of interest for the user.

The pointing information, however produced according to an underlyingset of measurement components and interpreted by a processing engine,can be one or more vectors. A vector or set of vectors can have a“width” or “arc” associated with the vector for any margin of errorassociated with the pointing of the device. A panning angle can bedefined by a user with at least two pointing actions to encompass a setof points of interest, e.g., those that span a certain angle defined bya panning gesture by the user.

In this respect, a gesturing component can also be included in thedevice to determine a current gesture of a user of the portableelectronic device from a set of pre-defined gestures. For example,gestures can include zoom in, zoom out, panning to define an arc, all tohelp filter over potential subsets of points of interest for the user.

In addition, a device includes an algorithm for discerning itemssubstantially along a direction at which the device is pointing, andthose not substantially along a direction at which the device ispointing. In this respect, while motion vector might implicate POI,without a specific panning gesture that encompassed moredirections/vectors, POIs would likely not be within the scope of pointsof interest defined by motion vector. The distance or reach of a vectorcan also be tuned by a user, e.g., via a slider control or othercontrol, to quickly expand or contract the scope of endpointsencompassed by a given “pointing” interaction with the device.

Other gestures that can be of interest in for a gesturing subsysteminclude recognizing a user's gesture for zoom in or zoom out. Zoomin/zoom out can be done in terms of distance. A device pointed indirection may include a zoomed in view which includes points of interestwithin distance and arc, or a medium zoomed view representing points ofinterest between distance, or a zoomed out view representing points ofinterest beyond distance. These zoom zones correspond to POIs. More orless zones can be considered depending upon a variety of factors, theservice, user preference, etc.

For another non-limiting example, with location information anddirection information, a user can input a first direction via a click,and then a second direction after moving the device via a second click,which in effect defines an arc for objects of interest. For instance,via first pointing act by the user at time in direction and a secondpointing act at time by the user in direction, an arc is implicitlydefined. The area of interest implicitly includes a search of points ofobject within a distance, which can be zoomed in and out, or selected bythe service based on a known granularity of interest, selected by theuser, etc. This can be accomplished with a variety of forms of input todefine the two directions. For instance, the first direction can bedefined upon a click-and-hold button event, or other engage-and-holduser interface element, and the second direction can be defined uponrelease of the button. Similarly, two consecutive clicks correspondingto the two different directions can also be implemented.

Also, instead of focusing on real distance, zooming in or out could alsorepresent a change in terms of granularity, or size, or hierarchy ofobjects. For example, a first pointing gesture with the device mayresult in a shopping mall appearing, but with another gesture, a usercould carry out a recognizable gesture to gain or lose a level ofhierarchical granularity with the points of interest on display. Forinstance, after such gesture, the points of interest could be zoomed into the level of the stores at the shopping mall and what they arecurrently offering.

In addition, a variety of even richer behaviors and gestures can berecognized when acceleration of the device in various axes can bediscerned. Panning, arm extension/retraction, swirling of the device,backhand tennis swings, breaststroke arm action, golf swing motionscould all signify something unique in terms of the behavior of thepointing device, and this is to just name a few motions that could beimplemented in practice. Thus, any of the embodiments herein can definea set of gestures that serve to help the user interact with a set ofservices built on the pointing platform, to help users easily gaininformation about points of information in their environment.

Furthermore, with relatively accurate upward and downward tilt of thedevice, in addition to directional information such as calibrated andcompensated heading/directional information, other services can beenabled. Typically, if a device is ground level, the user is outside,and the device is “pointed” up towards the top of buildings, thegranularity of information about points of interest sought by the user(building level) is different than if the user was pointing at the firstfloor shops of the building (shops level), even where the same compassdirection is implicated. Similarly, where a user is at the top of alandmark such as the Empire State building, a downward tilt at thestreet level (street level granularity) would implicate informationabout different points of interest that if the user of the devicepointed with relatively no tilt at the Statue of Liberty(landmark/building level of granularity).

A device can also include a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) havingcomponents responsible for abstracting the way the client communicateswith the measuring instruments, e.g., the GPS driver for positioning andLOS accuracy (e.g., open eGPS), magnetic compass for heading androtational information (e.g., gyroscopic), one or more accelerometersfor gestured input and tilt (achieves 3D positional algorithms, assuminggyroscopic compass).

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable electronic device 100 according to anembodiment including processor(s) 110, a positional component 120 thatoutputs position information as a function of location of the portableelectronic device, a motion component 130 that outputs motioninformation as a function of movement of the portable device and adirectional component 140 that outputs direction information as afunction of orientation of the portable electronic device.

In cooperation with gesture based analysis component 102, and optionallylocal applications or services 160 (or remote services 135),processor(s) 110 process the position information and/or the directioninformation to determine a set of points of interest relating to theposition/direction information. Processor(s) 110 also process the motioninformation, direction information and/or position information todetermine pre-defined gesture(s) undergone by the portable electronicdevice with respect to one or more points of interest of the set. Inresponse to the pre-defined gesture(s), the portable electronic deviceautomatically makes a request based on the pre-defined gesture(s) andidentifier(s) associated with the one or more points of interest of theset.

The gesture based analysis component 102 can determine a set of currentgesture(s) 104 based on one or more of the position information, such asbut not limited to GPS information, output from position engine orsubsystem 120, the motion information, such as but limited toaccelerometer information, of motion engine or subsystem 130, or thedirection information, such as digital compass information, output fromdirection engine or subsystem 140. Gesture based analysis component 102determines gesture(s) 104 relative to gesture definitions 106, which canbe statically defined on the device, defined by the user of the device,retrieved from a gesture definition network provider (not shown), etc.Gesture history 108 coupled with other place and point of interestinformation can be a rich source for intelligent applications 160 ornetwork services 135 to understand context for a given device gesturebased on historical interaction.

Device 100 can include storage 150 for storing any of positioninformation, motion information, direction information, gesturedefinitions 106, gesture history 108, application information, etc. Thedevice 100 can also include a graphics subsystem display and associateduser interface 180 for display of information and/or for receiving touchscreen input. An audio subsystem 170 can also be included for voice orother sound input, or sound output in connection with the provision ofgesture and pointing based services.

For instance, via network interface 190, based on a current gesture 104,an automatic request 115 can be made to network/data services 135 basedon the gesture and place or point of interest identification. As aresult, a variety of actions 125 can take place, e.g., targeted content,advertising, offers, deals, price comparisons, etc. Local applications160 and storage 150 are optional as any of the functionality ofproviding gesture-based services can be pushed to the network dataservices 135, or conversely, functionality of data services 135 can beimplemented by a local application 160.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary non-limiting diagram of an architecture forachieving one or more embodiments described herein. At the device layerLayer1, location information 200, direction information 202, motioninformation 204 and user intent information 206 can be input to a Layer2with various service 210, including web services 212, cloud services214, other data services 216, etc. Gesture information 205 can bederived from any of location information 200, direction information 202,motion information 204 or user intent information 206. Any of services210 can have input to a set of brick and mortar store databases inLayer3, such as data store(s) 220, 222, 224, etc. or set of online orelectronic retailer databases in Layer4, such as data store(s) 230, 232,234, etc. In this regard, user intent 204 coupled with a place of thedevice can be utilized by one or more services 210 to retrieve anddeliver custom content 240 to the device from a variety of retail andonline vendors based on gesture information 205 of the device.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a methodology for providingdigital graffiti with a portable device according to an exemplaryembodiment. At step 300, the method begins by ascertaining anorientation for the portable device based on at least directioninformation processed by a processor. At step 310, the method continuesby ascertaining a path traversed by the portable device based on atleast motion information processed by the processor. A gesture undergoneby the portable device is then identified at step 320 based on at leastthe orientation and the path. The method then concludes at 330 with asuperimposition of digital graffiti corresponding to the gesture onto atleast one digital canvas.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrates an exemplaryportable computing device 400. In this regard, a set of services 460 arebuilt based on motion information 412, location information 422, and/ordirection information 432 collected by a mobile device, such as a phone.For instance, in an embodiment, location information 422 can be recordedby a location subsystem 420 such as a GPS subsystem communicating withGPS satellites 440. Direction or pointing information 432 can becollected by a direction subsystem 430, such as a compass, e.g.,gyroscopic, magnetic, digital compass, etc. In addition, movementinformation 412 can be gathered by the device 400, e.g., via towertriangulation algorithms, and/or acceleration of the device 400 can bemeasured as well, e.g., with an accelerometer. From any one or more ofthe motion information 412, location information 422 and/or directioninformation 432, gesture information 472 can be determined by a gesturemonitor component 470.

The collective information 450 can be used to gain a sense of, not onlywhere the device 400 is located in relation to other potential points ofinterest tracked or known by the overall set of services 460, but toalso understand in what direction the user is pointing the device 400.By ascertaining such information, the services 460 can appreciate atwhom or what the user is pointing the device 400 so as to gain a senseof how the user wishes to interact with the place or point of interestvia the gesture information 472.

In an aspect, gesture subsystem 470 utilizes any one or more of themotion information 412, location information 422, and/or directioninformation 432. In this regard, for example, not only can directioninformation 432 and location information 422 be used to define a set ofunique gestures, but also motion information 412 (such as speed andacceleration) can be used to define a more sophisticated set ofgestures.

FIG. 4 thus illustrates a gesture subsystem 470 that can be included ina device 400 to enable a host of scenarios where the user may not beable to make detailed input to the device 400 by conventional methods.In this regard, one can appreciate that a variety of algorithms could beadopted for a gesture subsystem 470. For a non-limiting example of asimple gesture, a click and aim event when in the “pointing mode” forthe device 400 can result in determining a set of points of interest forthe user. A client cache 480 can be included in the system. By savinginformation about potential points of interest in client cache 480, auser of device 400 need not always derive the benefit of the gesturebased interaction from a network service 460, but rather can besatisfied locally by predictively pre-fetching information of probableinterest to the device 400.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrates an exemplarymethodology for superimposing digital graffiti onto a digital canvas. Asshown, process 500 begins at step 510 where an area proximate to device400 is scanned to ascertain a desired digital canvas. In an embodiment,such a digital canvas may correspond to particular points of interestdetected by device 400. Here, one of ordinary skill will appreciate thatpoints of interest are detectable in any of a plurality of ways. Forinstance, in an aspect, device 400 includes a scanning component thatoutputs sensory information pertaining to a signal received fromentities proximate to device 400 (e.g., restaurants, theaters, trains,mobile devices, etc.). Moreover, at step 510, the scanning componentscans for signals emanating from entities proximate to device 400 andoutputs sensory information corresponding to any of a plurality ofdetected signals. Next, at step 511, process 500 determines whether anydetectable signals are present. If a signal is indeed present, process500 ascertains at least one digital canvas by processing the sensoryinformation corresponding to the signal. However, if no signal isdetected, process 500 loops back to step 510 where the area proximate todevice 400 continues to be scanned.

In another embodiment, points of interest proximate to device 400 areidentifiable without detecting signals emanating from the points ofinterest. For instance, device 400 may identify such points of interestby utilizing any combination of information from motion component 410(e.g., an accelerometer unit), location subsystem 420 (e.g., a GPSunit), and/or directional subsystem 430 (e.g., a compass). In an aspect,device 400 transmits any combination of motion information 412, locationinformation 422, and/or directional information 432 to an externalentity via a network for further processing. Here, to facilitateinterfacing with the external entity via the network, a networkcomponent may be included in device 400. Within such embodiment, theexternal entity is a centralized database that stores data correspondingto any of a plurality of identifiable points of interest. Moreover, theexternal entity utilizes information received from device 400 toidentify points of interest in the database, and subsequently transmitsdata corresponding to the identified points of interest to device 400.

When interfacing with a network, process 500 may thus include performingstep 510 externally, wherein an area proximate to device 400 is scannedas a function of motion information 412, location information 422,and/or directional information 432. Next, at step 511, process 500determines whether any points of interest are proximate to device 400.If no point of interest is identified, process 500 loops back to step510 where the area proximate to device 400 continues to be scanned.However, if the external entity indeed identifies a point of interest,process 500 ascertains at least one digital canvas corresponding to thepoint of interest, at step 513. In an aspect, the at least one digitalcanvas is ascertainable from the external entity via the network.

In another embodiment, device 400 ascertains a digital canvasindependent of a network and/or signals emanating from points ofinterest. For instance, in an aspect, device 400 includes a camera.Within such embodiment, process 500 thus includes having a user manuallyscan an area proximate to device 400 at step 510. At step 512, process500 then includes determining whether an image of the areaobtained/obtainable by the camera is adequate. If indeed adequate,process 500 proceeds by configuring a digital canvas to include theimage at step 514. Otherwise, if the image is inadequate, process 500loops back to step 510 where the user continues to scan the area fordesirable images.

After ascertaining a digital canvas, process 500 continues by selectinga desired graffiti tool at step 515. As will be discussed later withrespect to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, device 400 can provide any of a pluralityof graffiti tools including an ink graffiti tool and/or an objectgraffiti tool. After selecting the desired graffiti tool, a processingof strokes undergone by device 400 occurs at step 520. Next, at step525, digital graffiti corresponding to such strokes are thensuperimposed onto the at least one digital canvas previously identified.For instance, if utilizing an ink graffiti tool, the digital graffitimay include a two-dimensional trace of the strokes undergone by device400. On the other hand, if utilizing an object graffiti tool, thedigital graffiti may include a saved digital image corresponding to aparticular stroke sequence.

After superimposing the digital graffiti onto the digital canvas,process 500 continues by determining, at step 530, whether the graffitisession is complete. If incomplete, process 500 loops back to step 515where a user is again able to select a graffiti tool. However, if thegraffiti session is indeed complete, process 500 continues to step 535where the superimposed digital graffiti is saved/transmitted.

Referring next to FIG. 6, a flow diagram illustrates an exemplarymethodology for utilizing an ink graffiti tool according to anembodiment. As stated previously, digital graffiti generated via an inkgraffiti tool may include a two-dimensional tracing of strokes undergoneby device 400. Moreover, a user may utilize the ink graffiti tool tocreate two-dimensional freehand images corresponding to an in-air pathundertaken by device 400 (e.g., motioning device 400 in a path thattraces letters corresponding to the word “hello”, a path that traces anoutline of a “happy face”, etc.). Here, although a two-dimensionaltracing is described, it should be appreciated that another embodimentmay include a three-dimensional tracing of strokes undergone by device400, wherein the three-dimensional tracing is saved as athree-dimensional digital graffiti object.

As illustrated, process 600 begins at step 610 by selecting the inkgraffiti tool. In an embodiment, the ink graffiti tool is configurableto output graffiti in any of a plurality of styles. For instance, atstep 620, a user may configure the ink tool settings to trace a“graffiti path” with any of a plurality of colors (e.g., black, blue,red, etc.), patterns (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted, etc.), and/or linethicknesses. Here, although a user may manually select the desired inktool settings, device 400 may also include a set of pre-programmeddefault settings (set by the user and/or the manufacturer).

At step 630, process 600 continues with the processing of strokesundergone by device 400. In an embodiment, device 400 may include a“continuity button,” which a user may utilize to discontinue particularink strokes within a given graffiti session. With respect to drawingalphanumeric characters, such a button is particularly desirable sincemultiple distinct strokes are often preferred. For instance, if a userdesires to draw the letter “T”, a first stroke (e.g., a stroke that issubstantially vertical) may be separated from a second stroke (e.g., astroke that is substantially horizontal) by releasing the continuitybutton between the two strokes.

In an embodiment, device 400 may also include a beautification componentfor performing a beautification of graffiti generated by the ink tool.Namely, because an exact free hand version of a user's graffiti may beaesthetically undesirable, a beautification component may warp/replacesuch undesirable portions of the user's graffiti. For instance, thebeautification component may analyze data corresponding to the graffitigenerated at step 630 (e.g., an image of the graffiti,temporal/sequential information about the strokes, etc.) toidentify/infer portions to modify (e.g., identifying/inferring that theuser drew a “happy face” and replacing the free hand version with acomputerized version). Accordingly, process 600 may include adetermination, at step 640, of whether to beautify portions of theuser's graffiti. If beautification is indeed desired and possible,process 600 proceeds with a beautification of the user's graffiti atstep 645 followed by a superimposition of the beautified graffiti ontoan appropriate digital canvas at step 650. However, if at step 640 it isdetermined that a beautification will not occur, process 600 proceedsdirectly to step 650 where the user's un-beautified graffiti issuperimposed onto an appropriate digital canvas.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a flow diagram illustrates an exemplarymethodology for utilizing an object graffiti tool according to anembodiment. As stated previously, digital graffiti generated via anobject graffiti tool may include a saved digital image corresponding toa particular stroke sequence undergone by device 400. Moreover, a usermay utilize the object graffiti tool as a short cut to access any of aplurality of images stored either locally or externally (e.g., a generic“happy face” image stored locally, a photo stored on a device accessiblevia a network, etc.).

As illustrated, process 700 begins at step 710 by selecting the objectgraffiti tool. In an embodiment, the object graffiti tool may haveaccess to any of a plurality of gesture libraries, wherein the samegesture may output a different image in a different library. Forinstance, in a first library, a circular gesture may correspond to a“happy face” image, whereas the same circular gesture may correspond toa particular photo in a second library. Accordingly, process 700includes ascertaining an appropriate gesture library at step 720.

Process 700 then continues at step 730 with a processing of the gesturestrokes undergone by device 400. Here, as discussed with respect toprocess 600, device 400 may include a continuity button, which a usermay utilize to discontinue particular strokes of a gesture. Indeed,since more gestures are definable with multiple distinct strokes thanwith single continuous strokes, including a continuity button to device400 desirably increases the number of images accessible to the objecttool.

At step 740, process 700 proceeds by retrieving the image correspondingto the gesture performed by device 400. Here, as stated previously, suchan image may reside in a gesture library either within device 400 and/orwithin an external entity accessible via a network. Upon retrieving thedesired image, process 700 proceeds by superimposing the image onto anappropriate digital canvas at step 750.

Referring next to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a device 880 illustrates anexemplary embodiment of a variety of gesture-based actions that device880 may undertake. Within such embodiment, these actions are based onany of point of interest information 800, location information 810,motion information 820, gesture information 830 or other user intentinformation 840 brokered by the device 880 to network services 870 vianetworks 860, and optionally via applications 850.

More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates that a variety of pre-definedgestures can be designed to represent gestures in a general environmenthaving items or points of interest, or locations, that can be pointed ator to by a device 880. As illustrated, such gestures may include agesture requesting to analyze the image content of a viewfinder forcontext 841, as well as gestures to show particular POIs 842 (i.e.,different gestures for different types of categories). In an aspect,device 880 may also undertake a Wikipedia gesture 843 (e.g., to bring upWikipedia knowledge regarding the given POI based on an associatedkeyword), as well as an hours gesture 844 (e.g., to bring up currentstatus and/or when the POI maintains business hours). Other exemplarygestures that device 880 may undertake include a gesture to requestinformation about a POI 845 (e.g., to request an address, phone, fax,website, etc.), a gesture to request directions to a POI 846, and agesture to retrieve events, discounts, and/or advertising associatedwith a POI 847.

In FIG. 9, a block diagram provides a non-limiting implementation for apoint to location user interface 910 for a device 900. In an embodiment,the point to location user interface 910 includes an image section 920(e.g., input from a camera included with the device 900), whereinvarious POIs 922, 924, etc. in the scene are identifiable. For instance,overlay information and actions 932, 934 can be displayed over or nearthe POIs 922, 924, respectively (exemplary non-limiting locations foroverlay shown). Filter UI 936 allows a user of the device 900 to filterthe kinds or types of POIs within the image section 920. A gesture orother explicit input can also define the scope of POIs shown in theimage section 920 (e.g., the scope of POIs in terms of distance from thedevice 900).

In an aspect, UI 950 displays a scope of points of interest according toa user-defined scope definition 940 in which the user selects a degreeof scope ranging between near 952 and far 954. Similarly, device 900 mayinclude an elevation scope implementation to capture towering POIs(e.g., buildings, mountains, lighthouses, etc.). For this particularexample, POI 922 is far whereas POI 924 is near, and so depending on howthe gesture or input is made, one or the other POI may be selected basedon the scope of POIs. In one embodiment, a tilt gesture achieves thedesired effect. For instance, tilting the viewfinder of a camera up mayextend the scope outwards, whereas tilting toward the ground may retractthe scope inwards. A user may also pre-define unique gestures via agesture definition application that helps users customize gestures.

Referring next to FIG. 10, a block diagram provides a non-limitingimplementation for a point to people user interface 1010 for a device1000. In this regard, user interface 1010 includes an image section 1020(e.g., camera input), whereby a first person of interest 1022 and secondperson of interest 1024 are illustrated for simplicity of example in acrowd of people. Here again, a filter UI 1036 is used to sort categoriesand a scope definition UI 1038 is used to help define the scope ofphysical space encompassed by the POI discovery. In the present example,a gesture towards a given person could initiate an action or interactionin relation to that user. In so doing, a selection of a person ofinterest, such as person of interest 1022, results in a display ofoverlay information and actions 1032 over or nearby the selected personof interest.

Upon selecting a person, a user can initiate various actions byperforming any of a plurality of pre-defined or user-defined gestures.For instance, a user may initiate a “look through viewfinder forcontext” application by performing gesture 1041; a “discover friends orother desired subscribers” application by performing gesture 1042; a“call person” application by performing gesture 1043, a “start message”application by performing gesture 1044; a “view person's website”application by performing gesture 1045 (e.g., Facebook, MySpace,Twitter); an “add person to contact list” application by performinggesture 1046 (e.g., Friends, Family, Favorites); a “find out scheduleavailability” application by performing gesture 1047; and/or a “friendor flirt” application by performing gesture 1048 (e.g., make a heartshape in 2-D with the device with respect to a person).

Exemplary Digital Graffiti Implementations

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a user may create digitalgraffiti of various styles and forms. One of ordinary skill will alsoappreciate that the subsequent superimposition of such digital graffitionto a digital canvas can include any of various types of digitalcanvasses. To facilitate a better understanding of the numerouspotential digital graffiti implementations, the following discussiondescribes various non-limiting embodiments illustrating exemplarycombinations of different forms of digital graffiti and different typesof digital canvasses.

Referring first to FIGS. 11-14, exemplary implementations includedigital graffiti created within the context of a restaurant scenario.For instance, FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary superimposition offree-hand digital graffiti 1122 onto a photographic digital canvas 1120of a restaurant. Within such embodiment, a user may point the devicetowards an area that includes a particular restaurant, wherein thedevice displays the restaurant as a point of interest 1112 within thedevice's display 1110. As stated previously, point of interest 1112 isascertainable in any of a plurality of ways. For example, ascertainingpoint of interest 1112 may result from the device sensing a signalemanating from the restaurant and/or processing device-specificinformation (e.g., any combination of the device's directioninformation, motion information, and position information).

In various embodiments, a derivation of photographic digital canvas 1120utilizes a photo originating from any of a plurality of locations. Forinstance, in a first embodiment, digital canvas 1120 may originate froma photo provided by the restaurant, wherein the device receives thedigital canvas 1120 directly from a signal emanating from therestaurant. In another embodiment, digital canvas 1120 originates froman external entity accessible via a network. In yet another embodiment,a user may simply take a photo of the restaurant, wherein the photoitself serves as digital canvas 1120.

As stated previously, a user may utilize any of various tools to createdigital graffiti. For instance, an unsatisfied customer of therestaurant may utilize an ink graffiti tool to superimpose the word“DIRTY” as free-hand graffiti 1122 onto digital canvas 1120, as shown inFIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary beautification 1222 offree-hand graffiti 1122, wherein the device superimposes beautification1222 onto digital canvas 1220.

In another embodiment, a user may utilize an object graffiti tool toretrieve any of a plurality of generic images stored either locally orexternally. Moreover, a user may access generic images stored within aninternal/external library by performing particular gestures. Forinstance, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the customer may superimpose ageneric image 1322 of a “sad face” onto digital canvas 1320. To retrievegeneric image 1322, the user may have to perform a particularlibrary-specific gesture corresponding to generic image 1322. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 13, such a gesture may include a first stroke1312 in a substantially southeast direction followed by a second stroke1314 in a substantially southwest direction. Here, as stated previously,a user may utilize a continuity button to provide a “path break” betweenstroke 1312 and stroke 1314.

In yet another embodiment, a user may utilize the object graffiti toolto retrieve any of a plurality of customized images, which are alsostored either locally or externally. FIG. 14, for example, exemplifies ascenario whereby a health inspector visits an unsanitary restaurant. Inthis scenario, it may be desirable for the health inspector to generategraffiti that is unique and readily distinguishable from graffitigenerated by other users. To facilitate generating such graffiti, thehealth inspector may be given secure access to a library ofauthenticated images (e.g., images with an official seal), wherein eachimage is retrievable via a unique gesture. For instance, retrievinggraffiti 1422 corresponding to an authenticated “UNHEALTHY” assessmentby the health inspector may require performing a unique gesture thatsuperimposes graffiti 1422 onto digital canvas 1420. As illustrated,such unique gesture may include a first stroke 1412 in a substantiallysoutheast direction followed by a second stroke 1414 in a substantiallysouthwest direction. Here, although strokes 1412 and 1414 areessentially the same as strokes 1312 and 1314, the respective outputsfrom these gestures are differentiable if different libraries are used.For example, whereas strokes 1312 and 1314 may correspond to a “sadface” stored locally, strokes 1412 and 1414 may correspond to an“official sealed assessment” stored externally on a secure site.

In an aspect, a user may save and/or transmit graffiti 1122, 1222, 1322,and/or 1422. Here, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that suchgraffiti can be saved and/or transmitted with or without a particulardigital canvas. Indeed, because it may sometimes be desirable tosuperimpose graffiti onto different digital canvasses, a user may wishto save such graffiti without a particular canvas. One of ordinary skillwill further appreciate that saved graffiti may also include metadatafor the graffiti (e.g., authorship information, date of creation,hyperlink to user's website, audio, etc.).

Referring next to FIGS. 15-18, exemplary implementations includesuperimposing digital graffiti onto a digital canvas corresponding to amobile object. For instance, FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplarysuperimposition of free-hand digital graffiti 1522 onto a photographicdigital canvas 1520 of a train. Within such embodiment, a user may pointthe device towards an area that includes the train, wherein the devicedisplays the train as a point of interest 1512 within the device'sdisplay 1510. For this particular example, similar to the aforementionedrestaurant example, ascertaining point of interest 1512 may result fromthe device sensing a signal emanating from the train and/or processingdevice-specific information (e.g., any combination of the device'sdirection information, motion information, and position information).

In an aspect, photographic digital canvas 1520 is a “shared” canvas uponwhich any of a plurality of users may view and/or superimpose graffiti.For instance, a user's device may receive digital canvas 1520 (eitherdirectly from a signal emanating from the train and/or from a networkentity that processes any combination of the device's locationinformation, motion information, and/or direction information), whereindigital canvas 1520 already includes graffiti generated by a previoususer. Accordingly, graffiti superimposed onto digital canvas 1520 maycomprise an evolving collage of individual graffiti entries fromdifferent users. This collage of graffiti entries may thus “follow” thetrain wherever it goes, wherein the parameters of each graffiti entrymay be managed by the canvas owner/administrator. For example, to ensurethat graffiti space is always available, a city may configure digitalcanvas 1520 such that individual graffiti entries vanish after apre-determined span of time and such that no entry exceeds apre-determined dimensional threshold.

As stated previously, a user may again utilize any of various tools tocreate digital graffiti. For instance, an anti-war activist may utilizean ink graffiti tool to superimpose the phrase “STOP THE WAR!” asfree-hand graffiti 1522 onto digital canvas 1520, as shown in FIG. 15.FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary beautification 1622 of free-handgraffiti 1522, wherein the device superimposes beautification 1622 ontodigital canvas 1620. In an aspect, a user may toggle between any of aplurality of different fonts when utilizing the beautification feature(i.e., the font shown for beautification 1622 is interchangeable withother fonts).

As illustrated in FIG. 17, a user may also utilize an object graffititool to retrieve any of a plurality of generic images. For thisparticular example, the anti-war activist may superimpose a genericimage 1722 of a “peace” sign onto digital canvas 1720. Within suchembodiment, a user may retrieve generic image 1722 by performing aparticular library-specific gesture corresponding to generic image 1722.For example, as shown in FIG. 17, such a gesture may include a firststroke 1712 in a substantially counterclockwise direction followed by asecond stroke 1714 directed substantially downwards.

Referring next to FIG. 18, an exemplary illustration demonstrates how auser may utilize the object graffiti tool to retrieve a customizedimage. Here, prior to seeing a train, the anti-war activist may havealready saved graffiti 1822 onto the network or his/her device. Forinstance, the anti-war activist may have spent a substantial amount oftime developing graffiti 1822 at home with tools that are perhapsunavailable on the device. It should thus be appreciated that digitalgraffiti, as described herein, is not restricted to sensor-basedgraffiti generation. Here, for example, graffiti 1822 may take the formof a personalized banner created on a PC (i.e., independent of thesensor-based electronics of the mobile device) in which people leavecomments/notes on that can either be discovered broadly or just sharedamongst friends.

Once developed, the user might transfer graffiti 1822 onto a personallibrary on the device, wherein a unique gesture superimposes graffiti1822 onto digital canvas 1820. For this particular embodiment, theunique gesture corresponds to a single continuous stroke comprising twosub-strokes, 1812 and 1814 (i.e., no break between sub-strokesfacilitated by a continuity button). Moreover, as illustrated, theunique gesture includes a first sub-stroke 1812 in a substantiallysoutheast direction followed by a second sub-stroke 1814 in asubstantially northeast direction.

Referring next to FIGS. 19-22, exemplary implementations include digitalgraffiti for interacting with people in a social setting. For instance,FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary superimposition of free-hand graffiti1924 onto a canvas 1920 corresponding to a target person's digitalprofile. To facilitate launching canvas 1920, a user may point thedevice towards an area that includes a plurality of accessible people1914 (i.e., people with identifiable devices) and inaccessible people1916 (i.e., people without identifiable devices). Here, as illustrated,the device may display any of accessible people 1914 as the targetperson 1912 within the device's display 1910. Similar to theaforementioned examples, ascertaining point of interest 1912 may resultfrom the device sensing a signal emanating from the target person'sdevice and/or processing information specific to the user's device(e.g., any combination of direction information, motion information, andposition information from the user device).

For this particular embodiment, a graffiti area 1922 is included withincanvas 1920. To this end, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that thederivation of digital canvas 1920 may occur in any of a plurality oflocations. For instance, in a first embodiment, a user's devicegenerates canvas 1920 upon receiving a target person's profile directlyfrom the target person's device. In another embodiment, a targetperson's device generates digital canvas 1920 and emanates a signal thatincludes canvas 1920 to an area proximate to the target person's device.In yet another embodiment, an external entity accessible via a networkstores a plurality of digital profiles and subsequently generates anappropriate canvas 1920 for a selected target person upon request (e.g.,a digital profile from a social networking website).

In an exemplary scenario, a user may wish to initiate a conversationwith a target person. To facilitate such conversation, the user maycreate digital graffiti 1924 with an ink graffiti tool. For instance, auser may utilize the ink graffiti tool to superimpose the word “HELLO”as free-hand graffiti 1924 onto graffiti area 1922, as shown in FIG. 19.FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary beautification 2024 of graffiti 1924,wherein canvas 2020 includes beautification 2024 superimposed ongraffiti area 2022.

In a related scenario, a user may wish to flirt with a target person. Tofacilitate such flirtation, the user may create digital graffiti 2124with an object graffiti tool, as illustrated in FIG. 21. For thisparticular example, the user may superimpose a generic image 2124 of a“kiss” onto graffiti area 2122 of digital canvas 2120. Within suchembodiment, the user may retrieve generic image 2124 by performing aparticular library-specific gesture corresponding to generic image 2124.For example, as shown in FIG. 21, such a gesture may include a firststroke 2112 in a substantially upward direction followed by a secondstroke 2114 also directed substantially upwards.

Referring next to FIG. 22, an exemplary illustration demonstrates how auser may utilize the object graffiti tool to retrieve a customizedimage. For this particular example, customized image 2224 includes aphoto of the user surrounded with hearts, as shown. Here, the user mightretrieve image 2224 from either a personal library on the user's deviceor an external library on a network, wherein a unique gesturesuperimposes image 2224 onto area 2222 of canvas 2220. For thisparticular embodiment, the unique gesture includes a first stroke 2212in a substantially counterclockwise direction followed by a secondstroke 2214 directed in a substantially clockwise direction.

Referring next to FIGS. 23-26, exemplary implementations include digitalgraffiti created within the context of purchasing real estate. Forinstance, FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary superimposition of free-handgraffiti 2324 onto a canvas 2320 corresponding to a particular realestate property. To facilitate launching canvas 2320, a user may pointthe device towards a group of houses that includes a particular house ofinterest 2312 displayed within the device's display 23 10.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the prospective buyer'sdevice may identify house of interest 2312 in any of a plurality ofways. For instance, in an embodiment, a real estate agent may embed atransmitter that emanates identifiable information within house ofinterest 2312. For such embodiment, the prospective buyer's device maysense the emanated signal to identify house of interest 2312. In anotherembodiment, rather than embedding house of interest 2312 with atransmitter, the prospective buyer's device identifies house of interest2312 as function of the device's direction information, motioninformation, and/or position information.

In an aspect, canvas 2320 is again ascertainable in any of plurality ofways, wherein graffiti area 2322 may be included, as shown. In a firstembodiment, a prospective buyer's device generates canvas 2320 uponreceiving purchase information via the embedded transmitter. In anotherembodiment, the embedded transmitter emanates a signal that includescanvas 2320 to an area proximate to house of interest 2312. In yetanother embodiment, a centralized website may store a plurality ofprofiles for available properties, wherein the prospective buyer'sdevice receives an appropriate canvas 2320 from the website upon request(e.g., a digital profile from a multiple listings service website).

In an exemplary scenario, a user may wish to know the asking price forhouse of interest 2312. To facilitate such a query, the user may createdigital graffiti 2324 with an ink graffiti tool. For instance, a usermay utilize the ink graffiti tool to superimpose the phrase “COST?” asfree-hand graffiti 2324 onto graffiti area 2322, as shown in FIG. 23.FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary beautification 2424 of graffiti 2324,wherein canvas 2420 includes beautification 2424 superimposed ongraffiti area 2422.

However, the prospective buyer may create digital graffiti 2524 with anobject graffiti tool, as illustrated in FIG. 25. For this particularexample, the prospective buyer may superimpose a generic image 2524which displays “$?” onto graffiti area 2522 of canvas 2520. Indeed,within such embodiment, a shortcut gesture corresponding to genericimage 2524 may desirably provide the prospective buyer with a convenientalternative to performing a more tedious gesture with the ink graffititool. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, such a gesture may include afirst stroke 2512 in a substantially downward direction followed by asecond stroke 2514 also directed substantially downwards.

Referring next to FIG. 26, an exemplary illustration demonstrates howthe prospective buyer may utilize the object graffiti tool to retrieve acustomized image. For this particular example, customized image 2624includes text specifying particular buyer-defined conditions (i.e., arequest to only contact if the asking price is below $400,000 and onlyif the home is equipped with central air/heat). Similar to theaforementioned examples, the prospective buyer might retrieve image 2624from either a personal library on the prospective buyer's device or anexternal library on a network, wherein a unique gesture superimposesimage 2624 onto area 2622 of canvas 2620. For this particularembodiment, the unique gesture includes a first stroke 2612 in asubstantially downward direction followed by a second stroke 2614directed in a substantially upward direction.

It may sometimes be desirable to superimpose graffiti onto multiplecanvasses. For instance, with respect to the real estate example above,it may be desirable make inquiries into multiple propertiessimultaneously. In FIG. 27, an exemplary diagram for facilitating suchan inquiry illustrates a plurality of points of interest proximate to adevice. Specifically, FIG. 27 illustrates a device 2710 surrounded byhouses of interest 2720 within a first radius R₁, houses of interest2722 within a second radius R₂, and houses of interest 2724 within athird radius R₃. To this end, an exemplary scenario is contemplated,wherein the prospective buyer fortuitously visits a desirableneighborhood and wishes to ascertain real estate information for allavailable properties within a particular radius. As illustrated in FIG.28, an inquiry into multiple properties may include simultaneouslysuperimposing graffiti onto multiple corresponding canvasses. For thisparticular example, the prospective buyer's device may superimposegraffiti 2824 onto a graffiti area 2822, wherein a first canvas 2810corresponds to a first property, and wherein additional canvasses 2820correspond to additional properties within the selected radius of theprospective buyer's device. Here, as illustrated, the prospective buyermay again utilize an object graffiti tool to create the custom graffitidiscussed in FIG. 26.

Exemplary Implementations for Holding the Pointing Device in DifferentPlanes

In an aspect, a device provides the user with different functions/viewsfor facilitating graffiti generation according to the device'sorientation. For instance, in FIG. 29, a flow diagram illustrates anexemplary non-limiting process that anticipates that a user will hold adevice substantially in a horizontal plane, such as in the palm of theuser's hand while viewing the device. At step 2900, a map on display isoriented according to a direction relative to the device based onpointing information. Next, at step 2910, the device displays place(s)or item(s) of interest on the map according to an indication of type ofplace or item. At step 2920, the place(s) or item(s) are then filtered(e.g., to show only nearby tourist sites). At 2930, as the device turns,the map continuously updates and re-orients based on any new directionthe device points at, in order to maintain proper direction relative toreal space. The process proceeds with a selection of a place or item onthe map at step 2940, followed by the superimposition of digitalgraffiti on a digital canvas corresponding to the selected place or itemat step 2950. In this regard, because it is intuitive to give a groundview when the viewing plane is parallel to the ground plane, in thepresent embodiment, the device implements a 2-D map view when heldsubstantially in the horizontal plane.

Referring next to FIG. 30, a flow diagram illustrates an exemplarynon-limiting process that anticipates that a user will hold a devicesubstantially in a vertical plane (e.g., as if scanning an area in acamera viewfinder with overlay information and actions introduced togive the viewfinder context for POI action). In an aspect, the deviceutilizes motion information to ascertain when the device issubstantially in a vertical plane, at step 3000, wherein the devicesubsequently displays camera imagery with an overlay of a point ofinterest indication or information. At step 3010, the device providesdistance indications to scope the points of interest on display (e.g.,close, near or far items).

Next, at step 3020, the process proceeds with the device displayinginformation about a selected point of interest as an overlay over theimage, followed by the superimposition of digital graffiti on a digitalcanvas corresponding to the selected place or item at step 3030. In thisregard, because it is intuitive to give a 3-D perspective view when theviewing plane is orthogonal to the ground plane, the present embodimentdisplays a 3-D perspective view with POI information overlay when thedevice is substantially in the vertical plane. In effect, the camerashows the real space behind the device, and indications of points ofinterest in that space as if the user was performing a scan of his orher surroundings with the device. Direction information of the deviceenables data and network services to know what the scope of objects forinteraction with the device is.

FIG. 31 illustrates a general difference between the embodiments ofFIGS. 29 and 30. With device 3100 in the horizontal plane, the devicedisplays a 2-D topographical map display of geographical area andindications of points of interest 3120. In this regard, when device 3100detects an orientation that is substantially in the horizontal plane,the device displays a 2-D topographical map 3120 within UI 3110.However, when device 3150 detects an orientation that is substantiallyin the vertical plane, the device displays a 3-D perspective view 3170within UI 3160 (as reflected by the 2-D imagery of the camera input).

FIG. 32 further illustrates an embodiment that detects the device 3200is substantially in a vertical plane, thereby invoking the imageacquisition device 3210 to acquire input 3220 and display the input ondisplay 3230 with POI information 3240. In this regard, as the userrotates the camera according to the arrow 3250, the POI informationchanges along with the scope of the camera input 3210 as it changes withthe device 3200 spinning around.

Supplemental Context Regarding Pointing Devices, Architectures andServices

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting device 3300 includingprocessor(s) 3310 having a position engine or subsystem 3320 fordetermining a location of the device 3300 and a direction engine orsubsystem 3330 for determining a direction or orientation of the device3300. By interacting with local application(s) 3340 and/or service(s)3370, content can be delivered to the device, which is tailored todevice intent and a place in which the device is present. The tailoredcontent can be rendered by graphic subsystem or display/UI 3350 or audiosubsystem 3360.

The following description contains supplemental context regardingpotential non-limiting pointing devices, architectures and associatedservices to further aid in understanding one or more of the aboveembodiments. Any one or more of any additional features described inthis section can be accommodated in any one or more of the embodimentsdescribed above with respect to direction-based services at a particularlocation. While such combinations of embodiments or features arepossible, for the avoidance of doubt, no embodiments set forth in thesubject disclosure should be considered limiting on any otherembodiments described herein.

As mentioned, a broad range of scenarios can be enabled by a device thatcan take location and direction information about the device and build aservice on top of that information. For example, by effectively using anaccelerometer in coordination with an on board digital compass, anapplication running on a mobile device updates what each endpoint is“looking at” or pointing towards, attempting hit detection on potentialpoints of interest to either produce real-time information for thedevice or to allow the user to select a range, or using the GPS, alocation on a map, and set information such as “Starbucks—10% offcappuccinos today” or “The Alamo—site of . . . ” for others to discover.One or more accelerometers can also be used to perform the function ofdetermining direction information for each endpoint as well. Asdescribed herein, these techniques can become more granular toparticular items within a Starbucks, such as “blueberry cheesecake” ondisplay in the counter, enabling a new type of graffiti interaction.

Accordingly, a general device for accomplishing this includes aprocessing engine to resolve a line of sight vector sent from a mobileendpoint and a system to aggregate that data as a platform, enabling ahost of new scenarios predicated on the pointing information known forthe device. The act of pointing with a device, such as the user's mobilephone, thus becomes a powerful vehicle for users to discover andinteract with points of interest around the individual in a way that istailored for the individual. Synchronization of data can also beperformed to facilitate roaming and sharing of POV data and contactsamong different users of the same service.

In a variety of embodiments described herein, 2-dimensional (2D),3-dimensional (3D) or N-dimensional directional-based search, discovery,and interactivity services are enabled for endpoints in the system ofpotential interest to the user.

In this regard, the pointing information and corresponding algorithmsultimately depend upon the assets available in a device for producingthe pointing or directional information. The pointing information,however produced according to an underlying set of measurementcomponents, and interpreted by a processing engine, can be one or morevectors. A vector or set of vectors can have a “width” or “arc”associated with the vector for any margin of error associated with thepointing of the device. A panning angle can be defined by a user with atleast two pointing actions to encompass a set of points of interest(e.g., those that span a certain angle defined by a panning gesture bythe user).

In this respect, a device can include a variety of spatial and mapcomponents and intelligence to determine intersections for directionalarcs. For instance, objects of interest could be represented with exactboundaries, approximated with spheres, sub-shells (e.g., stores in amall) of a greater shell (e.g., a mall), hierarchically arranged, etc.Dynamically generated bounding boxes can also be implemented (i.e., anytechnique can be used to obtain boundary information for use in anintersection algorithm). Thus, such boundaries can be implicitly orexplicitly defined for the POIs.

A device can also include an intersection component that interpretspointing information relative to a set of potential points of interest.The engine can perform such intersections knowing what the resolution ofthe measuring instruments are on the device, such as a given resolutionof a GPS system. Such techniques can include taking into account how fara user is from a plane of objects of interest, such as items on a shelfor wall, the size of the item of interest and how that is defined, aswell as the resolution of location instrumentation, such as the GPSsystem. The device can also optionally include an altimeter, or anyother device that gives altitude information, such as measuring radar orsonar bounce from the floor. The altitude information can supplementexisting location information for certain specialized services wherepoints of interest vary significantly at different altitudes. It isnoted that a GPS system itself has some information about altitude inits encoding.

In a non-limiting embodiment, a portable electronic device includes apositional component for receiving positional information as a functionof a location of the portable electronic device, a directional componentthat outputs direction information as a function of an orientation ofthe portable electronic device and a location-based engine. Within suchembodiment, the location-based engine processes the positionalinformation and the direction information to determine a subset ofpoints of interest relative to the portable electronic device as afunction of at least the positional information and the directioninformation.

The positional component can be a positional GPS component for receivingGPS data as the positional information. The directional component can bea magnetic compass and/or a gyroscopic compass that outputs thedirection information. The device can include acceleration component(s),such as accelerometer(s), that outputs acceleration informationassociated with movement of the portable electronic device. The use of aseparate sensor can also be used to further compensate for tilt andaltitude adjustment calculations.

In one embodiment, the device includes a cache memory for dynamicallystoring a subset of endpoints of interest that are relevant to theportable electronic device and at least one interface to a networkservice for transmitting the positional information and the directioninformation to the network service. In return, based on real-timechanges to the positional information and direction/pointinginformation, the device dynamically receives in the cache memory anupdated subset of endpoints that are potentially relevant to theportable electronic device.

For instance, the subset of endpoints can be updated as a function ofendpoints of interest within a pre-defined distance substantially alonga vector defined by the orientation of the portable electronic device.Alternatively or in addition, the subset of endpoints can be updated asa function of endpoints of interest relevant to a current context of theportable electronic device. In this regard, the device can include a setof Representational State Transfer (REST)-based application programminginterfaces (APIs), or other stateless set of APIs, so that the devicecan communicate with the service over different networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, aGPRS network, etc.), or communicate with other users of the service(e.g., Bluetooth). For the avoidance of doubt, the embodiments are in noway limited to a REST-based implementation, but rather any other stateor stateful protocol could be used to obtain information from theservice to the devices.

The directional component outputs direction information includingcompass information based on calibrated and compensatedheading/directionality information. The directional component can alsoinclude direction information indicating upward or downward tiltinformation associated with a current upward or downward tilt of theportable electronic device, so that the services can detect when a useris pointing upwards or downwards with the device in addition to acertain direction. The height of the vectors themselves can also betaken into account to distinguish between pointing a device from the topof a building (likely pointing to other buildings, bridges, landmarks,etc.) and pointing the device from the bottom of the building (likelypointing to a shop at ground level). Other distinctions can be madebetween pointing towards a ceiling or floor to differentiate amongshelves in a supermarket. A 3-axis magnetic field sensor can also beused to implement a compass to obtain tilt readings.

Secondary sensors, such as altimeters or pressure readers, can also beincluded in a mobile device and used to detect a height of the device,e.g., what floor a device is on in a parking lot or floor of adepartment store (changing the associated map/floorplan data). Where adevice includes a compass with a planar view of the world (e.g., a2-axis compass), the inclusion of one or more accelerometers in thedevice can be used to supplement the motion vector measured for a deviceas a virtual third component of the motion vector (e.g., to providemeasurements regarding a third degree of freedom). This option isdeployable where the provision of a 3-axis compass is too expensive, orotherwise unavailable.

In this respect, a gesturing component can also be included in thedevice to determine a current gesture of a user of the portableelectronic device from a set of pre-defined gestures. For example,gestures can include zoom in, zoom out, panning to define an arc, all tohelp filter over potential subsets of points of interest for the user.

For instance, web services can effectively resolve vector coordinatessent from mobile endpoints into <x,y,z> or other coordinates usinglocation data, such as GPS data, as well as configurable, synchronizedPOV information similar to that found in a GPS system in an automobile.In this regard, any of the embodiments can be applied similarly in anymotor vehicle device. One non-limiting use is also facilitation ofendpoint discovery for synchronization of data of interest to or fromthe user from or to the endpoint.

Among other algorithms for interpreting position/motion/directioninformation, as shown in FIG. 34, a device 3400 employing thedirection-based location-based services 3402 as described herein in avariety of embodiments herein include a way to discern between nearobjects, such as POI 3414 and far objects, such as POI 3416. Dependingon the context of usage, the time, the user's history, the device state,the speed of the device, the nature of the POIs, etc., the service candetermine a general distance associated with a motion vector. Thus, amotion vector 3406 will implicate POI 3414, but not POI 3416, and theopposite would be true for motion vector 3408.

In addition, a device 3400 includes an algorithm for discerning itemssubstantially along a direction at which the device is pointing, andthose not substantially along a direction at which the device ispointing. In this respect, while motion vector 3404 might implicate POI3412, without a specific panning gesture that encompassed moredirections/vectors, POIs 3414 and 3416 would likely not be within thescope of points of interest defined by motion vector 3404. The distanceor reach of a vector can also be tuned by a user (e.g., via a slidercontrol or other control) to quickly expand or contract the scope ofendpoints encompassed by a given “pointing” interaction with the device.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the determination of at what or whom theuser is pointing is performed by calculating an absolute “Look” vector,within a suitable margin of error, by a reading from an accelerometer'stilt and a reading from the magnetic compass. Then, an intersection ofendpoints determines an initial scope, which can be further refineddepending on the particular service employed (i.e., any additionalfilter). For instance, for an apartment search service, endpointsfalling within the look vector that are not apartments ready for lease,can be pre-filtered.

In addition to the look vector determination, the engine can alsocompensate for, or begin the look vector, where the user is byestablishing positioning (˜15 feet) through an A-GPS stack (or otherlocation-based or GPS subsystem including those with assistancestrategies) and also compensate for any significantmovement/acceleration of the device, where such information isavailable.

As mentioned, in another aspect, a device can include a client-sidecache of potentially relevant points of interest, which, based on theuser's movement history can be dynamically updated. The context, such asgeography, speed, etc. of the user can be included in the updatingcalculation. For instance, if a user's velocity is two miles per hour,the user may be walking and interested in updates at a city block bycity block level, or at a lower level granularity if they are walking inthe countryside. Similarly, if a user is moving on a highway at sixtymiles per hour, the block-by-block updates of information are no longerdesirable, but rather a granularity can be provided and predictivelycached on the device in a manner appropriate for the speed of thevehicle.

In an automobile context, the location becomes the road on which theautomobile is travelling, and the particular items are the places andthings that are passed on the roadside much like products in aparticular retail store on a shelf or in a display. The pointing-basedservices thus create a virtual “billboard” opportunity for items ofinterest generally along a user's automobile path. Proximity to locationcan lead to an impulse buy (e.g., a user might stop by a museum they arepassing and pointing at with their device) if offered a discount onadmission.

In various alternative embodiments, gyroscopic or magnetic compasses canprovide directional information. A REST-based architecture enables datacommunications to occur over different networks, such as Wi-Fi and GPRSarchitectures. REST-based APIs can be used, though any statelessmessaging can be used that does not require a long keep alive forcommunicated data/messages. This way, since networks can go down withGPRS antennae, seamless switching can occur to Wi-Fi or Bluetoothnetworks to continue according to the pointing-based services enabled bythe embodiments described herein.

A device as provided herein according to one or more embodiments caninclude a file system to interact with a local cache, store updates forsynchronization to the service, exchange information by Bluetooth withother users of the service, etc. Accordingly, when operating from alocal cache, at least the data in the local cache is still relevant at atime of disconnection, and thus, the user can still interact with thedata. Finally, the device can synchronize according to any updates madeat a time of re-connection to a network, or to another device that hasmore up to date GPS data, POI data, etc. In this regard, a switchingarchitecture is adoptable for the device to perform a quick transitionfrom connectivity from one networked system (e.g., cell phone towers) toanother computer network (e.g., Wi-Fi) to a local network (e.g., meshnetwork of Bluetooth connected devices).

With respect to user input, a set of soft keys, touch keys, etc. can beprovided to facilitate in the directional-based pointing servicesprovided herein. A device can include a windowing stack in order tooverlay different windows, or provide different windows of informationregarding a point of interest (e.g., hours and phone number windowversus interactive customer feedback window). Audio can also be renderedor handled as input by the device. For instance, voice input can behandled by the service to explicitly point without the need for aphysical movement of the device. For instance, a user could say into adevice “what is this product right in front of me? No, not that one, theone above it” and have the device transmit current direction/movementinformation to a service, which in turn intelligently, or iteratively,determines what particular item of interest the user is pointing at, andreturns a host of relevant information about the item.

FIG. 35 illustrates a non-limiting way for determining a set of pointsof interest. As illustrated, a device 3500 is pointed (e.g., point andclick) in a direction D1, which according to the device or serviceparameters, implicitly defines an area within arc 3510 and distance 3520that encompasses POI 3530, but does not encompass POI 3532. Such analgorithm will also need to determine any edge case POIs (i.e., whetherPOIs such as POI 3534 are within the scope of pointing in direction D1),where the POI only partially falls within the area defined by arc 3510and distance 3520.

Other gestures that can be of interest for a gesturing subsystem includerecognizing a user's gesture for zoom in or zoom out. Zoom in/zoom outcan be performed in terms of distance like FIG. 36. In FIG. 36, a device3600 pointed in direction D1 may include a zoomed in view which includespoints of interest within distance 3620 and arc 3610, or a medium zoomedview representing points of interest between distance 3620 and 3622, ora zoomed out view representing points of interest beyond distance 3622.These zoom zones correspond to POIs 3630, 3632 and 3634, respectively.More or fewer zones can be considered depending upon a variety offactors (e.g., the service, user preference, etc.).

In another non-limiting example, with location information and directioninformation, a user can input a first direction via a click, and then asecond direction after moving the device via a second click, which ineffect defines an arc 3710 for objects of interest in the system, suchas objects 3730, 3732, 3734 as illustrated in FIG. 37. For instance, viaa first pointing act by the user at time t1 in direction D1 and a secondpointing act at time t2 by the user in direction D2, an arc 3710 isimplicitly defined. The area of interest implicitly includes a search ofobjects of interest within a distance 3720, which can be zoomed in andout, or selected by the service based on a known granularity ofinterest, selected by the user, etc. This can be accomplished with avariety of forms of input to define the two directions. For instance,the first direction can be defined upon a click-and-hold button event,or other engage-and-hold user interface element, and the seconddirection can be defined upon release of the button. Similarly, twoconsecutive clicks corresponding to the two different directions D1 andD2 can also be implemented. In the example, POI 3730 is encompassed bythe arc 3710 defined by the gesture.

Also, instead of focusing on real distance, zooming in or out could alsorepresent a change in terms of granularity, or size, or hierarchy ofobjects. For example, a first pointing gesture with the device mayresult in a shopping mall appearing, but with another gesture, a usercould carry out a recognizable gesture to gain or lose a level ofhierarchical granularity with the points of interest on display. Forinstance, after such gesture, the points of interest could be zoomed into the level of the stores at the shopping mall and what they arecurrently offering.

In addition, a variety of even richer behaviors and gestures can berecognized when acceleration of the device in various axes can bediscerned. Panning, arm extension/retraction, swirling of the device,backhand tennis swings, breaststroke arm action, golf swing motionscould all signify something unique in terms of the behavior of thepointing device, and this is to just name a few motions that could beimplemented in practice. Thus, any of the embodiments herein can definea set of gestures that serve to help the user interact with a set ofservices built on the pointing platform, to help users easily gaininformation about points of information in their environment, and tohelp users generate and superimpose graffiti.

Furthermore, with relatively accurate upward and downward tilt of thedevice, in addition to directional information such as calibrated andcompensated heading/directional information, other services can beenabled. Typically, if a device is at ground level, the user is outside,and the device is “pointed” up towards the top of buildings. Here, thegranularity of information about points of interest sought by the user(e.g., building level) is different than if the user was pointing at thefirst floor shops of the building (e.g., shops level), even where thesame compass direction is implicated. Similarly, where a user is at thetop of a landmark such as the Empire State building, a downward tilt atthe street level (street level granularity) would implicate informationabout different points of interest that if the user of the devicepointed with relatively no tilt at the Statue of Liberty(landmark/building level of granularity).

Also, when a device is moving in a car, it may appear that direction ischanging as the user maintains a pointing action on a single location,but the user is still pointing at the same thing due to displacement.Thus, time varying location can be factored into the mathematics andengine of resolving at what the user is pointing with the device tocompensate for the user experience.

Accordingly, armed with the device's position, one or more web or cloudservices can analyze the vector information to determine at what or whomthe user is looking/pointing. The service can then provide additionalinformation such as ads, specials, updates, menus, happy hour choices,etc., depending on the endpoint selected, the context of the service,the location (urban or rural), the time (night or day), etc. As aresult, instead of a blank Internet search without context, a form ofreal-time visual search for users in real 3-D environments is provided.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the direction-based pointing servicesare implemented in connection with a pair of glasses, headband, etc.having a corresponding display means that acts in concert with theuser's looking to highlight or overlay features of interest around theuser.

As shown in FIG. 38, once a set of objects is determined from thepointing information according to a variety of contexts of a variety ofservices, a mobile device 3800 can display the objects viarepresentation 3802 according to a variety of user experiences tailoredto the service at issue. For instance, a virtual camera experience canbe provided, where POI graphics or information can be positionedrelative to one another to simulate an imaging experience. A variety ofother user interface experiences can be provided based on the pointingdirection as well.

For instance, a set of different choices are shown in FIG. 39, whereinUI 3900 and 3902 illustrate an exemplary navigation of hierarchical POIinformation. For instance, level1 categories may include category1,category2, category3, category4 and category5, such that a user selectsaround the categories with a thumb-wheel, up-down control, or the like,and chooses one such as category2. Then, subcategory1, subcategory2,subcategory3 and subcategory4 are displayed as subcategories ofcategory2. Then, if the user selects, for instance, subcategory4,perhaps few enough POIs, such as buildings 3900 and 3910 are found inthe subcategory in order to display on a 2D map UI 3904 along thepointing direction, or alternatively as a 3D virtual map view 3906 alongthe pointing direction.

When things change from the perspective of either the service or theclient, a synchronization process can bring either the client orservice, respectively, up to date. In this way, an ecosystem is enabledwhere a user can point at an object or point of interest, gaininformation about it that is likely to be relevant to the user, interactwith the information concerning the point of interest, and add value tothe services ecosystem where the user interacts. The system thusadvantageously supports both static and dynamic content.

Other user interfaces can be considered such as left-right, or up-downarrangements for navigating categories or a special set of soft-keys canbe adaptively provided.

Where a device includes a camera, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 40, arepresentative non-limiting overlay UI 4000 is shown having three POIsPOI1, POI2 and POI3. The POIs are overlaid over actual image data beingviewed in real time on the device via an LCD screen or like display. Theactual image data can be of products on a shelf or other display orexhibit in a store. Thus, as the user aims the camera around his or herenvironment, the lens becomes the pointer, and the POI information canbe overlaid intelligently for discovery of endpoints of interest.Moreover, a similar embodiment can be imagined even without a camera,such as a UI in which 3-D objects are virtually represented based onreal geometries known for the objects relative to the user. Thus, thedevice UI can be implemented consistent with a camera, or virtualcamera, view for intuitive use of such devices. The pointer mechanism ofthe device could also switch based on whether the user was currently inlive view mode for the camera or not. Moreover, assuming sufficientprocessing power and storage, real time image processing could discernan object of interest and based on image signatures, overlay POIinformation over such image in a similar manner to the aboveembodiments. In this regard, with the device provided herein, a varietyof gestures can be employed to zoom in, zoom out, perform tilt detectionfor looking down or up, or panning across a field of view to obtain arange of POIs associated with the panning scope.

With respect to a representative set of user settings, a number ormaximum number of desired endpoints delivered as results can beconfigured. How to filter can also be configured (e.g., five mostlikely, five closest, five closest to one hundred feet away, five withincategory or sub-category, alphabetical order, etc.). In each case, basedon a pointing direction, implicitly a cone or other cross section acrossphysical space is defined as a scope of possible points of interest. Inthis regard, the width or deepness of this cone or cross section can beconfigurable by the user to control the accuracy of the pointing (e.g.,narrow or wide radius of points and how far out to search).

To support processing of vector information and aggregating POIdatabases from third parties, a variety of storage techniques, such asrelational storage techniques can be used. For instance, Virtual Earthdata can be used for mapping and aggregation of POI data can occur fromthird parties such as Tele Atlas, NavTeq, etc. In this regard,businesses not in the POI database will want to be discovered and thus,the service provides a similar, but far superior from a spatialrelevance standpoint, Yellow Pages experiences where businesses willdesire to have their additional information, such as menus, pricesheets, coupons, pictures, virtual tours, etc. accessible via thesystem.

In addition, a synchronization platform or framework can keep theroaming caches in sync, thereby capturing what users are looking at andefficiently processing changes. Or, where a user goes offline, localchanges can be recorded, and when the user goes back online, such localchanges can be synchronized to the network or service store. Also, sincethe users are in effect pulling information they care about “in thehere” and “in the now” through the act of pointing with the device, thesystem generates high cost per impression (CPM) rates as compared toother forms of demographic targeting. Moreover, the system drivesimpulse buys, since the user may not be physically present in a store,but the user may be near the object, and by being nearby and pointing atthe store, information about a sale concerning the object can be sent tothe user.

In an aspect, different location subsystems (such as towertriangulation, GPS, A-GPS, E-GPS, etc.) can have different tolerances.For instance, with GPS, tolerances can be achieved to about ten meters.With A-GPS, tolerances can be tightened to about twelve feet. In turn,with E-GPS, tolerance may be a different error margin still.Compensating for the different tolerances is part of the interpretationengine for determining intersection of a pointing vector and a set ofpoints of interest. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 34-37, a distance toproject out the pointing vector can be explicit, configurable,contextual, etc.

In this regard, the various embodiments described herein can employ anyalgorithm for distinguishing among boundaries of the endpoints (such asboundary boxes, or rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.). For example,one hundred fifty feet could be selected as a default radius, and suchvalue can be configured or be context sensitive to the service provided.On-line real estate sites can be leveraged for existing POI information.Since different POI databases may track different information atdifferent granularities, a way of normalizing the POI data according toone convention or standard can also be implemented so that theresidential real estate location data from Zillow, for example, can beintegrated with GPS information from Starbucks.

In addition, similar techniques can be implemented in a moving vehicleclient that includes a GPS, compass, accelerometer, etc. By filteringbased on scenarios (e.g., I need gas), different subsets of points ofinterest (e.g., gas stations) can be determined for the user based notonly on distance, but an actual time it may take to get to the point ofinterest. In this regard, while a gas station may be one hundred yardsto the right off the highway, the car may have already passed thecorresponding exit, and thus more useful information to provide is whatgas station will take the least amount of time to drive from a currentlocation based on direction/location so as to provide predictive pointsof interest that are up ahead on the road, and not already aged pointsof interest that would require turning around from one's destination inorder to get to them.

For existing motor vehicle navigation devices, or other conventionalportable GPS navigation devices, where a device does not nativelyinclude directional means such as a compass, the device can have anextension slot that accommodates direction information from an externaldirectional device, such as a compass. Similarly, for laptops or otherportable electronic devices, such devices can be outfitted with a cardor board with a slot for a compass. While any of the services describedherein can make web service calls as part of the pointing and retrievalof endpoint process, as mentioned, one advantageous feature of a user'slocality in real space is that it is inherently more limited than ageneral Internet search for information. As a result, a limited amountof data can be predictively maintained on a user's device in cachememory and properly aged out as data becomes stale.

Exemplary Networked and Distributed Environments

One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the variousembodiments of methods and devices for generating digital graffiti andrelated embodiments described herein can be implemented in connectionwith any computer or other client or server device, which can bedeployed as part of a computer network or in a distributed computingenvironment, and can be connected to any kind of data store. In thisregard, the various embodiments described herein can be implemented inany computer system or environment having any number of memory orstorage units, and any number of applications and processes occurringacross any number of storage units. This includes, but is not limitedto, an environment with server computers and client computers deployedin a network environment or a distributed computing environment, havingremote or local storage.

FIG. 41 provides a non-limiting schematic diagram of an exemplarynetworked or distributed computing environment. The distributedcomputing environment comprises computing objects 4110, 4112, etc. andcomputing objects or devices 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc., whichmay include programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc., asrepresented by applications 4130, 4132, 4134, 4136, 4138. It can beappreciated that objects 4110, 4112, etc. and computing objects ordevices 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc. may comprise differentdevices, such as PDAs, audio/video devices, mobile phones, MP3 players,laptops, etc.

Each object 4110, 4112, etc. and computing objects or devices 4120,4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc. can communicate with one or more otherobjects 4110, 4112, etc. and computing objects or devices 4120, 4122,4124, 4126, 4128, etc. by way of the communications network 4140, eitherdirectly or indirectly. Even though illustrated as a single element inFIG. 41, network 4140 may comprise other computing objects and computingdevices that provide services to the system of FIG. 41, and/or mayrepresent multiple interconnected networks, which are not shown. Eachobject 4110, 4112, etc. or 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc. can alsocontain an application, such as applications 4130, 4132, 4134, 4136,4138, that might make use of an API, or other object, software, firmwareand/or hardware, suitable for communication with or implementation ofthe user profiling in a transaction and advertising platform as providedin accordance with various embodiments.

There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurationsthat support distributed computing environments. For example, computingsystems can be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by localnetworks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many networks arecoupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for widelydistributed computing and encompasses many different networks, thoughany network infrastructure can be used for exemplary communications madeincident to the techniques as described in various embodiments.

Thus, a host of network topologies and network infrastructures, such asclient/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures, can be utilized.In a client/server architecture, particularly a networked system, aclient is usually a computer that accesses shared network resourcesprovided by another computer, e.g., a server. In the illustration ofFIG. 41, as a non-limiting example, computers 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126,4128, etc. can be thought of as clients and computers 4110, 4112, etc.can be thought of as servers where servers 4110, 4112, etc. provide dataservices, such as receiving data from client computers 4120, 4122, 4124,4126, 4128, etc., storing of data, processing of data, transmitting datato client computers 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc., although anycomputer can be considered a client, a server, or both, depending on thecircumstances. Any of these computing devices may be processing data, orrequesting services or tasks that may implicate the improved userprofiling and related techniques as described herein for one or moreembodiments.

A server is typically a remote computer system accessible over a remoteor local network, such as the Internet or wireless networkinfrastructures. The client process may be active in a first computersystem, and the server process may be active in a second computersystem, communicating with one another over a communications medium,thus providing distributed functionality and allowing multiple clientsto take advantage of the information-gathering capabilities of theserver. Any software objects utilized pursuant to the user profiling canbe provided standalone, or distributed across multiple computing devicesor objects.

In a network environment in which the communications network/bus 4140 isthe Internet, for example, the servers 4110, 4112, etc. can be Webservers with which the clients 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc.communicate via any of a number of known protocols, such as thehypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). Servers 4110, 4112, etc. may alsoserve as clients 4120, 4122, 4124, 4126, 4128, etc., as may becharacteristic of a distributed computing environment.

Exemplary Computing Device

As mentioned, various embodiments described herein apply to any devicewherein it may be desirable to generate digital graffiti. It should beunderstood, therefore, that handheld, portable and other computingdevices and computing objects of all kinds are contemplated for use inconnection with the various embodiments described herein, i.e., anywherethat a device may request pointing based services. Accordingly, thebelow general purpose remote computer described below in FIG. 42 is butone example, and the embodiments of the subject disclosure may beimplemented with any client having network/bus interoperability andinteraction.

Although not required, any of the embodiments can partly be implementedvia an operating system, for use by a developer of services for a deviceor object, and/or included within application software that operates inconnection with the operable component(s). Software may be described inthe general context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by one or more computers, such as clientworkstations, servers or other devices. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that network interactions may be practiced with a variety ofcomputer system configurations and protocols.

FIG. 42 thus illustrates an example of a suitable computing systemenvironment 4200 in which one or more of the embodiments may beimplemented, although as made clear above, the computing systemenvironment 4200 is only one example of a suitable computing environmentand is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of any of the embodiments. Neither should the computingenvironment 4200 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary operating environment 4200.

With reference to FIG. 42, an exemplary remote device for implementingone or more embodiments herein can include a general purpose computingdevice in the form of a handheld computer 4210. Components of handheldcomputer 4210 may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit4220, a system memory 4230, and a system bus 4221 that couples varioussystem components including the system memory to the processing unit4220.

Computer 4210 typically includes a variety of computer readable mediaand can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 4210.The system memory 4230 may include computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/orrandom access memory (RAM). By way of example, and not limitation,memory 4230 may also include an operating system, application programs,other program modules, and program data.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 4210 throughinput devices 4240 A monitor or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 4221 via an interface, such as outputinterface 4250. In addition to a monitor, computers may also includeother peripheral output devices such as speakers and a printer, whichmay be connected through output interface 4250.

The computer 4210 may operate in a networked or distributed environmentusing logical connections to one or more other remote computers, such asremote computer 4270. The remote computer 4270 may be a personalcomputer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or othercommon network node, or any other remote media consumption ortransmission device, and may include any or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computer 4210. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 42 include a network 4271, such local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), but may also include othernetworks/buses. Such networking environments are commonplace in homes,offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

As mentioned above, while exemplary embodiments have been described inconnection with various computing devices, networks and advertisingarchitectures, the underlying concepts may be applied to any networksystem and any computing device or system in which it is desirable toderive information about surrounding points of interest.

There are multiple ways of implementing one or more of the embodimentsdescribed herein, e.g., an appropriate API, tool kit, driver code,operating system, control, standalone or downloadable software object,etc. which enables applications and services to use the pointing basedservices. Embodiments may be contemplated from the standpoint of an API(or other software object), as well as from a software or hardwareobject that provides pointing platform services in accordance with oneor more of the described embodiments. Various implementations andembodiments described herein may have aspects that are wholly inhardware, partly in hardware and partly in software, as well as insoftware.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subjectmatter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition,any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarilyto be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects ordesigns, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures andtechniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, tothe extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and othersimilar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims,for the avoidance of doubt, such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition wordwithout precluding any additional or other elements.

As mentioned, the various techniques described herein may be implementedin connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with acombination of both. As used herein, the terms “component,” “system” andthe like are likewise intended to refer to a computer-related entity,either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. For example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running oncomputer and the computer can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers.

The aforementioned systems have been described with respect tointeraction between several components. It can be appreciated that suchsystems and components can include those components or specifiedsub-components, some of the specified components or sub-components,and/or additional components, and according to various permutations andcombinations of the foregoing. Sub-components can also be implemented ascomponents communicatively coupled to other components rather thanincluded within parent components (hierarchical). Additionally, itshould be noted that one or more components may be combined into asingle component providing aggregate functionality or divided intoseveral separate sub-components, and any one or more middle layers, suchas a management layer, may be provided to communicatively couple to suchsub-components in order to provide integrated functionality. Anycomponents described herein may also interact with one or more othercomponents not specifically described herein but generally known bythose of skill in the art.

In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter will bebetter appreciated with reference to the flowcharts of the variousfigures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Where non-sequential, or branched, flowis illustrated via flowchart, it can be appreciated that various otherbranches, flow paths, and orders of the blocks, may be implemented whichachieve the same or a similar result. Moreover, not all illustratedblocks may be required to implement the methodologies describedhereinafter.

While the various embodiments have been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function without deviating therefrom. Still further, one or moreaspects of the above described embodiments may be implemented in oracross a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage maysimilarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Therefore, thepresent invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, butrather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with theappended claims.

1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a motion component thatoutputs motion information as a function of at least one movement of thedevice; a directional component that outputs direction information as afunction of an orientation of the device; and at least one processorconfigured to process at least the motion information and the directioninformation to track at least one gesture undergone by the device andconfigured to superimpose digital graffiti corresponding to the at leastone gesture onto at least one digital canvas.
 2. The device of claim 1,the at least one processor further configured to process at least theorientation of the device to ascertain the at least one digital canvas.3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a position component thatoutputs a location of the device, the at least one processor furtherconfigured to process at least the location to ascertain the at leastone digital canvas.
 4. The device of claim 3, the at least one processoris further configured to process the location to determine at least onepoint of interest relating to the location, the at least one digitalcanvas corresponding to the at least one point of interest.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising a scanning component that outputssensory information pertaining to a signal received from at least oneentity proximate to the device, the at least one processor furtherconfigured to process at least the sensory information to ascertain theat least one digital canvas.
 6. The device of claim 1 further comprisingan ink component that outputs a two-dimensional mapping of the at leastone gesture, the at least one processor further configured to processthe two-dimensional mapping, the digital graffiti derived from at leasta portion of the two-dimensional mapping.
 7. The device of claim 6further comprising a beautification component that outputs abeautification of at least a portion of the two-dimensional mapping, theat least one processor further configured to process the beautification,the digital graffiti including at least a portion of the beautification.8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an object component thatoutputs a digital image corresponding to the at least one gesture, theat least one processor further configured to process the digital image,the digital graffiti including at least a portion of the digital image.9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a library component thatstores at least the digital image, the at least one processor furtherconfigured to retrieve the digital image from the library component. 10.The device of claim 8 further comprising a network component thatfacilitates interfacing the device with a network, the at least oneprocessor further configured to retrieve the digital image from thenetwork.
 11. A computer readable storage medium, comprising: a memorycomponent configured to store computer-readable instructions, thecomputer-readable instructions including instructions for performing thefollowing acts: ascertaining an orientation of a portable device, theorientation ascertained as a function of direction information processedby a processor; ascertaining a path traversed by the portable device,the path ascertained as a function of motion information processed bythe processor; identifying a gesture undergone by the portable device,the gesture identified as a function of at least the orientation and thepath; and superimposing digital graffiti corresponding to the gestureonto at least one digital canvas.
 12. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 11, the computer readable instructions furthercomprising instructions for processing a photo of an area proximate tothe portable device, the at least one digital canvas including at leasta portion of the photo.
 13. The computer readable storage medium ofclaim 11, the computer readable instructions further comprisinginstructions for determining a location of the portable device, the atleast one digital canvas ascertained as a function of the location. 14.The computer readable storage medium of claim 11, the superimposinginstructions further comprising instructions for simultaneouslysuperimposing the digital graffiti onto a plurality of digitalcanvasses.
 15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 11, thecomputer readable instructions further comprising instructions foranalyzing a signal received from at least one entity proximate to theportable device, the at least one digital canvas ascertained as afunction of the signal.
 16. The computer readable storage medium ofclaim 11, the computer readable instructions further comprisinginstructions for attaching metadata to the digital graffiti.
 17. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 11, the computer readableinstructions further comprising instructions for processing atwo-dimensional trace corresponding to at least a portion of the path,the digital graffiti derived from at least a portion of thetwo-dimensional trace.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim11, the computer readable instructions further comprising instructionsfor ascertaining a digital image corresponding to the gesture, thedigital graffiti including at least a portion of the digital image. 19.The computer readable storage medium of claim 18, the computer readableinstructions further comprising instructions for retrieving the digitalimage from at least one of an external memory component accessible overa network or a library of images stored locally on the portable device.20. A method, comprising: employing a processor to execute computerexecutable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium toimplement the following acts: determining an orientation of a portabledevice, the orientation ascertained as a function of data output by acompass included in the portable device; determining a movementundergone by the portable device, the movement ascertained as a functionof data output by an accelerometer unit included in the portable device;determining a location of the portable device, the location ascertainedas a function of data output by a global positioning system (GPS) unitincluded in the portable device; ascertaining a gesture corresponding tothe movement undergone by the portable device, the gesture ascertainedas a function of at least the data output by the compass and the dataoutput by the accelerometer unit; selecting a digital canvas, thedigital canvas selected as a function of the location of the portabledevice; and superimposing digital graffiti corresponding to the gestureonto the digital canvas.